Cannabis Brand ‘Tokyo Smoke’ Plans Cross-Canada Retail Store Expansion

Date:

Share post:

Fresh off of opening its first cannabis retail location in the heart of Toronto, Tokyo Smoke is looking to expand its operations across the country.

Recently, the company opened a new 6,500-square-foot outlet at Yonge and Dundas Square. It also has four dispensing stores in Manitoba – three in Winnipeg and one in Brandon.

“Tokyo Smoke is a cannabis brand that originated via coffee shops in Toronto and has grown into education-focused, design-oriented cannabis dispensaries,” said Lacey Norton, VP Retail for Tokyo Smoke, which is owned by Canopy Growth Corp.

“The coffee shops opened three years ago and were really a platform for us to educate people on what the future of cannabis could look like. Cannabis, as you know, is a highly-stigmatized product that has I think been perceived in a certain way for years and moving towards legalization the original founder of Tokyo Smoke had a vision that cannabis could be a product that had a meaningful place in people’s lives and associated it with coffee which is something that people consume on a regular basis.

“The coffee shops provided a safe and approachable environment for people to come in and learn about cannabis but also see beautifully-designed accessories, educational materials, apparel, etc. associated with the cannabis lifestyle which was unlike what anyone had experienced in the past.”

Five coffee shops are located in Toronto and one in Calgary.

“We have other locations sourced and secured (for retail stores) but won’t have visibility into whether or not they’ll be licenced until the Province of Ontario opens up licensing again,” said Norton.

“At this point, the dispensing stores are really our focus and continuing to build those out across the country. The cafes served as a really great opportunity for us to share our brand story before cannabis actually became a legal product. But ultimately at this stage, at this point in time, all of our efforts are focused on building out the brand via our dispensing stores across the country.”

Now, additional retail stores are in the plans.

“I’d say a good ballpark is anywhere – and it’s all contingent on licensing restrictions at this stage – from 10 to 20 additional locations throughout Canada over the next six to 12 months,” she said.

The stores are about 2,000 square feet depending on the real estate.

“We’re constantly sourcing locations that align with the overall purpose and objective of the brand as well as connect with our target audience. Not unlike other brands, we have a particular target audience that we’re seeking to connect with but also want to be approachable to a much broader audience as well,” said Norton.

“The whole purpose of Tokyo Smoke is to bring a level of design, intentional design, to cannabis in general and so we associate ourselves in locations that are aligned with the overall brand purpose.”

Since the legalization of cannabis in October, business has been very good.

“It’s been really mind-blowing so to speak. It’s been really exciting to see the brand become established in the market. We’re only in Manitoba and Ontario at this time so it’s still a relatively small footprint but sales continue to exceed expectations,” said Norton.

“We’ve also dealt with the supply constraints that everyone else in the industry has faced. We’re overcoming those issues as an industry. Despite being open for only six months, the industry is also only six months old. So everyone is learning as we go. We’re definitely excited for fall 2019 where new formats will be released into the market where we’ll see additional items added to our assortment from vape pens to edibles to topicals. There’s a whole wave of product that will be coming to market which is a focus for us right now in planning to integrate those products into our stores.”

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More From The Author

Fabricland to Replace H&M on Toronto’s Bloor Street Luxury Run

Fabricland will be located across from Holt Renfrew on the most prestigious retail street in Canada.

Zellers Could be Successful in Canada After Thursday Launch at Hudson’s Bay [Interview]

Madeleine Nicholls of Colliers says that the timing is right for a value concept as consumers seek nostalgia and value at a challenging time.

Innovative Lifestyle Retailer Benkei Hime Plans National Store Expansion After 2022 Launch [Interviews]

The bubble tea and fashion/youth culture retail concept opened its first Canadian locations last year, and broker Jeff Berkowitz says many more are on the way.

Eyewear Brand Warby Parker Adding More Stores to its Canadian Roster [Interview]

A company representative said in an interview that Warby Parker is bullish on its brick-and-mortar expansion after opening its first store in Canada in 2016.

Immersive Aquarium to Open as Part of Montreal’s Royalmount Project [Interviews]

The exciting mixed-use Royalmount will also feature a roster of foodservice offerings and retailers, including a mix of luxury brand stores such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton.

Mark Cohen, Former Sears Canada CEO, Discusses Why Nordstrom Failed in Canada [Video Interview]

Craig sits down with Mark Cohen, Director of Retail Studies at Columbia Business School and CEO of Sears Canada between 2001 and 2004. They discuss why Nordstrom failed in Canada, what might happen with the spaces as well as a revelation that HBC attempted to get Sears to acquire it twice during Cohen's tenure.

Inside Zellers 2.0 and its Newly Secured In-House Brand ‘Anko’ [Photos/Analysis]

The new Zellers stores at Hudson’s Bay launch tomorrow, featuring Kmart Australia-developed brand Anko which is expanding globally after seeing commercial success in that country.

Shake Shack to Open in Toronto with National Expansion Confirmed

The highly anticipated expansion begins next year with plans for dozens of locations to open over the course of a decade.

Opportunities Present to Repurpose Nordstrom Spaces in Canada: Experts Comment

Retail Insider got the opinions of several experts as to what might happen with Nordstrom's Canadian stores after the retailer exits the country.

‘Wild Fork’ Launches in Canada with Plans to Open Storefronts in National Expansion [Interview/Renderings]

The innovative food company that delivers quality meat and seafood will open physical locations across the country.

Australia-Based Laser Clinics Secures Flagship Location in Toronto as it Launches Aggressive Expansion [Interview]

The concept is part of the world's largest cosmetic clinic group, and it will expand rapidly in the Canadian market after launching in Ontario last year.

Toronto-Based Retailer ‘Parpar Boutique’ Planning to Open More Stores with Expansion [Interview]

The retailer is unique in how it brings in new styles daily, creating a buzz and FOMO among customers.

Smaller Packages at Grocery Stores in Canada Amid ‘Shrinkflation’ Could Trigger Taxes at the Checkout [Op-Ed]

Sylvain Charlebois says that even more grocery items are expected to be taxed as brands reduce the size of certain food offerings below government thresholds.

Aberdeen Mall in Kamloops BC Adding New Retailers Including Tenanting Sears Box [Interview]

The popular shopping centre added retailers during the pandemic and continues to strategize its retail mix including remerchandising a former Sears space.

Upscale US-Based Women’s Fashion Brand Veronica Beard Expands into Canada with 1st Store in Toronto

Another international brand has entered the Canadian market, spelling confidence in brick-and-mortar retail in this country.

Luxury Brand Concessions at Nordstrom in Canada Shutter Ahead of Retailer’s Exit

Several major brands leased space within Nordstrom stores and the boutique spaces shuttered over the weekend.

Nordstrom to Exit Canada Discussion: Craig Patterson & Lee Rivett [Podcast]

Craig and Lee talk about the closure announcement of Nordstrom shutting its Canadian stores. Included in the discussion is how we found out, what might be done with Nordstrom's stores in Canada, and why the retailer made the shocking move.

Why Nordstrom Failed in Canada: Interview with Lisa Hutcheson of J.C. Williams Group

The retail industry expert also discusses learnings on retail innovation from EuroShop 2023.

Vancouver-Based Brand DUER to Double Store Count in 2023 [CEO Interview]

Stores act as a community hub for the brand which is seeing rapid growth across its channels.

Uniqlo to Enter Ottawa Market with Ongoing Canadian Store Expansion

The Japanese fast-fashion retailer is targeting major cities across the country as it enters new markets with stores.

RECENT RETAIL INSIDER VIDEOS

Advertisment

Subscribe to the Newsletter

RECENT articles

Fabricland to Replace H&M on Toronto’s Bloor Street Luxury Run

Fabricland will be located across from Holt Renfrew on the most prestigious retail street in Canada.

Zellers Could be Successful in Canada After Thursday Launch at Hudson’s Bay [Interview]

Madeleine Nicholls of Colliers says that the timing is right for a value concept as consumers seek nostalgia and value at a challenging time.

Innovative Lifestyle Retailer Benkei Hime Plans National Store Expansion After 2022 Launch [Interviews]

The bubble tea and fashion/youth culture retail concept opened its first Canadian locations last year, and broker Jeff Berkowitz says many more are on the way.

Eyewear Brand Warby Parker Adding More Stores to its Canadian Roster [Interview]

A company representative said in an interview that Warby Parker is bullish on its brick-and-mortar expansion after opening its first store in Canada in 2016.

Immersive Aquarium to Open as Part of Montreal’s Royalmount Project [Interviews]

The exciting mixed-use Royalmount will also feature a roster of foodservice offerings and retailers, including a mix of luxury brand stores such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton.

Mark Cohen, Former Sears Canada CEO, Discusses Why Nordstrom Failed in Canada [Video Interview]

Craig sits down with Mark Cohen, Director of Retail Studies at Columbia Business School and CEO of Sears Canada between 2001 and 2004. They discuss why Nordstrom failed in Canada, what might happen with the spaces as well as a revelation that HBC attempted to get Sears to acquire it twice during Cohen's tenure.

Inside Zellers 2.0 and its Newly Secured In-House Brand ‘Anko’ [Photos/Analysis]

The new Zellers stores at Hudson’s Bay launch tomorrow, featuring Kmart Australia-developed brand Anko which is expanding globally after seeing commercial success in that country.

Shake Shack to Open in Toronto with National Expansion Confirmed

The highly anticipated expansion begins next year with plans for dozens of locations to open over the course of a decade.

Opportunities Present to Repurpose Nordstrom Spaces in Canada: Experts Comment

Retail Insider got the opinions of several experts as to what might happen with Nordstrom's Canadian stores after the retailer exits the country.

‘Wild Fork’ Launches in Canada with Plans to Open Storefronts in National Expansion [Interview/Renderings]

The innovative food company that delivers quality meat and seafood will open physical locations across the country.

Australia-Based Laser Clinics Secures Flagship Location in Toronto as it Launches Aggressive Expansion [Interview]

The concept is part of the world's largest cosmetic clinic group, and it will expand rapidly in the Canadian market after launching in Ontario last year.

Toronto-Based Retailer ‘Parpar Boutique’ Planning to Open More Stores with Expansion [Interview]

The retailer is unique in how it brings in new styles daily, creating a buzz and FOMO among customers.

Smaller Packages at Grocery Stores in Canada Amid ‘Shrinkflation’ Could Trigger Taxes at the Checkout [Op-Ed]

Sylvain Charlebois says that even more grocery items are expected to be taxed as brands reduce the size of certain food offerings below government thresholds.

Aberdeen Mall in Kamloops BC Adding New Retailers Including Tenanting Sears Box [Interview]

The popular shopping centre added retailers during the pandemic and continues to strategize its retail mix including remerchandising a former Sears space.

Upscale US-Based Women’s Fashion Brand Veronica Beard Expands into Canada with 1st Store in Toronto

Another international brand has entered the Canadian market, spelling confidence in brick-and-mortar retail in this country.

Luxury Brand Concessions at Nordstrom in Canada Shutter Ahead of Retailer’s Exit

Several major brands leased space within Nordstrom stores and the boutique spaces shuttered over the weekend.

Nordstrom to Exit Canada Discussion: Craig Patterson & Lee Rivett [Podcast]

Craig and Lee talk about the closure announcement of Nordstrom shutting its Canadian stores. Included in the discussion is how we found out, what might be done with Nordstrom's stores in Canada, and why the retailer made the shocking move.

Why Nordstrom Failed in Canada: Interview with Lisa Hutcheson of J.C. Williams Group

The retail industry expert also discusses learnings on retail innovation from EuroShop 2023.

Vancouver-Based Brand DUER to Double Store Count in 2023 [CEO Interview]

Stores act as a community hub for the brand which is seeing rapid growth across its channels.

Uniqlo to Enter Ottawa Market with Ongoing Canadian Store Expansion

The Japanese fast-fashion retailer is targeting major cities across the country as it enters new markets with stores.